Recent “ new “ research has shown that 80% of heart attacks in males and 54% of strokes in women could be avoided. To do so requires people to do regular exercise, follow a healthy diet (with fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts, and not too much meat and dairy), not to smoke and have but a moderate alcohol intake.

Whilst the study groups were gender specific, I have no doubt that the findings apply to everyone. And as a bonus we also know that these measures lower by at least 50% ones chances of getting cancer.

It’s here – whether you’re ready or not. Just look at the seasonal shelves in your favorite store. Retailers like to call it ‘holiday season’ but let’s be more accurate. Weight Gain season begins now and runs straight through New Year’s. The next two months will bring ample opportunity for you to expand your waistline.

Of course the choice is yours.

Why discuss it now and not mid way through December? Because now is your opportunity to plan for the weeks ahead.

Bones give us stability and muscles allow us to move, right? What if there was a third body system that is more stabilising than bones and more dynamic than muscles, yet has been overlooked?

Surrounding every muscle, bone, and cell of our body, is a web-like connective tissue called fascia. This dynamic, fluid-filled whole-body system, through which everything else integrates, is responsible for giving us our shape, posture and stability.1

I have thus far resisted writing about Ebola as there is plenty being said and written on this topic. However it seems that we are at a crossroads in the rhetorical war between the fear mongers and those presenting the facts. There are some critical facts that can get easily lost in whipped up fear.

The Catalyst program has done a special on low fat versus low carbohydrate diet.The science is in and low fat is out. The problems we have today in terms of obesity and type 2 diabetes can be largely attributed to a diet high in refined carbs. In the context of human history , low fat diets will be seen as nothing better than a fad. I urge you to look at this program.

There are ideas, which become so ingrained that we lose the ability to question them. This is a problem because much of what we believe today turns out to be wrong. And if we are not questioning then there is no progress.

On one hand this has never been easier due to technology and the ability for ideas to spread. On the other there is the increasingly shrill dogma of “experts” who seek to shut down any heresy against what is current thinking.

Artificial sweeteners are assumed to be helpful for those seeking to control or lose weight.

We are all guilty of multitasking to some extent, every time we check our phones whilst doing something else. The human brain does lose focus and it can take a while to get back on track with what we were doing. We cannot turn back the clock but we can be aware of our tendency to multitask and take steps to reduce it.This infographic is revealing.

King Canute famously sought to rule the waves. The story goes that he had his throne placed on the sand and as the tide rose commanded it thus;” You are part of my dominion and the ground that I am seated upon is mine, nor has anyone disobeyed my orders with impunity. Therefore I order you not to rise onto my land nor to wet the clothes or body of your Lord”.

Not surprisingly the sea did not follow the command and today we realize that nature does not bow down to decree or regulations. Or do we?

You may often hear people say that dieting is the most important factor in weight loss. What really counts however is the caloric deficit that you create and how you can personally best accomplish this deficit.

If you consider that there are 7,700 calories (32,250 kilojoules) in 1 kilogram of fat then creating a 550 calorie (2,300 kj) daily deficit will result in a ½ kg of body fat loss per week.